A powerful appeal for compassion has emerged as MP Namal Rajapaksa pledges his full monthly salary and allowances to support thousands of children struggling after Sri Lanka’s recent floods and landslides.
MP Namal Rajapaksa has announced that he will donate his monthly salary and allowances to the Adaraya program, an initiative he launched to support thousands of children from families affected by widespread floods and landslides across the country. The program highlights the urgent need to protect vulnerable children during Sri Lanka’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, particularly in districts severely impacted by extreme weather conditions.
The Adaraya program, introduced last week, focuses on providing essential educational items such as schoolbooks, pens, pencils and other supplies that children urgently need to resume their studies. Rajapaksa stated that many affected families have lost everything, including school materials, leaving children unable to return to normal learning routines. He explained that the initiative is designed to remove barriers to education during a time when children require stability, support and encouragement.
Speaking about the initiative, Rajapaksa said the program welcomes anyone who wishes to extend love and support to affected children in every part of the country. He emphasized that Adaraya is built on the idea of collective kindness and that the contribution of even one person can help transform the life of a child facing hardship. “This program is open to anyone willing to extend love and support to affected children across the country,” he said.
According to UNICEF, nearly 300,000 children have been directly impacted by the disaster. UNICEF noted that more than 275,000 of these children were affected by Cyclone Ditva, which caused severe flooding, landslides and extensive damage to homes and schools. UNICEF’s Representative in Sri Lanka, Emma Brigham, expressed deep concern over the far reaching damage caused to children and their families, stating that the crisis has disrupted education, access to safe water and psychosocial wellbeing.
UNICEF is currently working closely with the government to provide emergency relief and life saving services. The organization is also exploring the distribution of emergency education kits to children in the hardest hit districts to help restore learning environments and ensure continuity in education. As relief efforts continue, Rajapaksa’s contribution underscores the importance of national solidarity during a time when Sri Lankan families urgently need long term recovery assistance.
